The document outlines several conventions commonly used in horror film openings: 1) Logos from film institutions appear to identify the producers and spread costs. Logos may be edited to suit the genre. 2) Establishing shots set the time and location and introduce key characters and settings. Themes are hinted at through dialogue. 3) Opening credits list the directors, writers, and main actors, usually in order of screen time. The film title conveys expectations of the plot. 4) The genre is established through visuals and characters. Music, mood, and pace are used to build tension during the opening credits.

1. Conventions of Horror film openings
The opening of the film must hook
and engage the audience. It must
give hints to the narrative and give
you a feel of what the film will
intale.

2. • Film Institutions appear as one of the first
frames. Tells the audience who the film was
produced, by usually 2 institutions as it
spreads cost. Sometimes institution logo’s
are edited to suit genre of film & to have
links to the title and plot. I.E The Dark
Knight Rises Walt bros logo has been edited
to link with darkness and evil.

3. • Establishing shots are used to set the setting
and date for the audience. We are
introduced to key characters and settings
such as the woods in The Shining. Themes
are introduces via dialogue and links to pre
plot are made without too much being given
away.

4. • The Opening Credits list the most important
people involved with the film. This includes
directors, cameramen, writers, and key actors
usually in order of most on screen. The Film
title is placed on screen to show the name of
the film. This will have connotations to the
audience that they will think of when
considering what the plot will be like. Font and
colour of text for credits and film title link in
with genre and theme of film. I.e. Saw films red
text with blood imagery of the font.

5. • The opening establishes the genre or hybrid
genre of the film. This is done by visual
imagery or the introduction of characters.
I.E in the twilight films in the opening
credits we start to get hints of the vampire
genre.
• Opening credits use iconography to help
establish the overall theme.

6. • Music is a strong convention used in
opening credits. Music intrigues people and
interests the audience to keep watching. It
also works well to build tension or create a
mood to go with the start of the film.
Commonly in horror films music of non-
diagetic sound is used to start to unease its
audience. Pace is built and credits and titles
are presented in time with the music.

7. • Usually starts with equilibrium
• A voiceover is used in many films to
introduce the narrative always descriptive
and helps the audience to engage in the plot
and grow to like or dislike characters.
Sometimes can be used to cause confusion
and leave the audience wanting to know
more. Sometimes in religion or paranormal
sub genre horror myths or stories read out
by a narrator to introduce the plot.

8. • Although there are many conventions that films
follow in their opening credits some films stray
away from this! Some films prefer to have
unconventional openings causing confusion
and giving less away. By the lack of credits, lack
of establishing shots & lack of characters
introduced it results in an artistic opening that
leaves the audience feeling intrigued and
confused. This can be very effective. Horror
films that do this include Hostel, insidious, The
Dark Knight.